If you think your concrete was not properly installed, look out for these signs and potential problems.
Concrete installation sounds easy and simple enough to do, right? Wrong. Installing concrete takes an immense amount of time and preparation to make sure the job is done properly. No two concrete projects will ever be the same, so it is not like other projects where you can simply just do the same thing in exactly the same way that you did previously. If you think your concrete was not properly installed, look out for these signs and potential problems.
The Wrong Amount of Concrete
Depending on what you are using concrete for, there is a certain amount of concrete you must use for that installation project, especially when it comes to supporting structures and vehicles. Typically projects underestimate how much concrete they need. The more common projects have a standard amount of thickness like for sidewalks it is four inches. Concrete calculators can be used to get the dimensions and amount of concrete needed to avoid it being too thin and weak and will eventually crack.
Notice Safety Concerns
On any project, safety is a great concern, and that is no different for concrete. When using concrete for construction or just installing it, there are various safety concerns to look into that also factor into installing it correctly. For example, to properly install concrete it needs steel reinforcement integrated into the concrete installation. So, if you notice any parts of the project that have collapsed, it might not have been properly reinforced.
Improper Tools
You can easily notice a number of problematic signs of poor concrete installation based on if the job was not done with the proper tools. If the job was forced to be done with the wrong tools, it will be obvious in the quality of the work that the concrete was installed improperly.
Concrete Poured in Bad Weather
You may notice that the concrete strength is not up to par where it should be, which can easily stem from weather issues when being poured. If the temperature is off during the first days of installation, the concrete will be significantly weakened, especially in cold weather if it is not properly insulated and freezes.
No Texture
Another sign that the concrete was not properly installed is that there is no texture and it is quite slippery. Textured concrete provides traction when walked on. If there is no texture, it is clear that a concrete broom was not run over it or that an overlay to add texture was not added.
Construction Safety and GPR Scanning from Concrete Visions
Concrete Visions has over 12 years of experience and expertise in concrete scanning and we know how to detect any problems lurking beneath the surface. We use ground penetrating radar accurately and expertly and are familiar with many other methods that can be used when appropriate like concrete x-ray and electromagnetic conductivity. We are also very familiar with the latest construction safety techniques and train all of our workers to do their work quickly, accurately, and safely. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you, give us a call at (410) 766-2210 or visit us online. For more articles and tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.